QUESTIONHello,My husband and I were discussing green peppers today after buying a case at a local produce company's barn. We wondered where green peppers originated? We know that hot peppers are in all countries, from Mexico to the Asiatic countries. But where did the green bell peppers originate? Thanks so very much, Cait

ANSWERHello Cait,

All vegetable peppers, both sweet peppers (bell peppers, of all colors) and hot peppers (chili peppers) originated in the Americas. They were widely cultivated in both Central and South America before Columbus arrived (probably as early as 5000 BC). Columbus took seeds back to Spain from the Caribbean in 1493 and the plants spread rapidly throughout Europe and then the rest of the world. There are now over a thousand varieties, and are used in virtually all of the world's cuisines.

It was the hot peppers (chili peppers) that impressed Columbus. (Actually, the mild 'sweet' bell peppers were not developed until much later). Columbus was thought they were related to the spice 'pepper' since they were also hot and spicy. That is why they called them 'peppers.' (They are actually not even remotely related to the spice 'pepper').